Ukraine Sitrep

Poland says it could send tens of thousands of ‘military-age’ Ukrainian refugees back to their home country to fight Russia

Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said late Wednesday that Warsaw could help in getting military-aged men back to Ukraine.

‘We have suggested for a long time that we can help the Ukrainian side ensure that people subject to compulsive military service go to Ukraine,’ he told Polsat television

As of February 2024, 952,104 Ukrainian refugees were registered in Poland, 16 percent of them, or 152,656 people, men of military age, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Might Canada send their military aged refugee men back to Ukraine as well?

Russia is lying about “Polish plans to annex part of Ukraine” – Polish foreign minister

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski says Russian propaganda leaders are trying to trigger a conflict between Poles and Ukrainians, including by making claims about “Poland’s plans to annex Ukrainian territories”.

Are they? Let’s be honest here there are already long standing disputes between Poles and Ukrainians.

US Aid to Ukraine Already pre positioned in Germany and Poland

While American officials will not say so openly, a US source familiar with the provision of military aid to Ukraine said much of it is already pre-positioned in storage facilities in Germany and Poland, which would obviously cut down on the amount of time needed to get it into Ukraine. The source also said artillery shells would be among the first materials moved forward.

UK: Prime Minister announces delivery of 60 boats to Ukraine

According to information published by the UK Gov on April 23, 2024, during his visit to Poland, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed a record-breaking military support package for Ukraine. This package encompasses 60 watercraft, featuring offshore raiding craft, rigid raiding craft, and dive boats, along with several maritime guns.

The UK has supplied Ukraine with sophisticated weaponry including thousands of NLAW anti-tank missiles and advanced air defense systems such as Starstreak and AMRAAM missiles.

These have been complemented by substantial artillery support, with the UK delivering multiple-launch rocket systems and over 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, enhancing Ukraine’s long-range combat capabilities.

In terms of armoring and mobility, the UK has provided more than 200 armored and logistic support vehicles, including Sea King helicopters, to enhance the Ukrainian forces’ operational capabilities on the ground. The maritime domain has not been overlooked, with the UK donating maritime equipment like Brimstone missiles and autonomous underwater vehicles for mine hunting.

The UK has also strengthened Ukraine’s electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities, supplying jamming systems and surveillance kits including radars and laser designators.

On the personal protection front, Ukrainian forces have received essential gear including helmets, body armor, and medical supplies, crucial for the harsh conditions faced on the battlefield.

Furthermore, the UK’s support extends to comprehensive training programs under Operation Interflex, which has already seen over 30,000 Ukrainian personnel trained with plans for further expansion. This training encompasses a broad spectrum from basic combat to specialized training for tank crews and pilots, enhancing the skills and effectiveness of Ukrainian forces.

And the US has reportedly sent ATACMS

(CNN) — The US delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this month that the Biden administration had previously refused to send following a directive from President Joe Biden, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Biden secretly approved the transfer of the long-range ATACMS missiles in February for use inside Ukrainian territory. The ATACMS missiles were then quietly included in the $300 million aid package announced on March 12 and ultimately delivered to Ukraine earlier this month, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn.

“It was not announced that we are providing Ukraine with this new capability at the time in order to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Garn said, deferring questions about their use to Ukraine’s military.

The US worked behind the scenes to address the readiness concerns, which included buying more ATACMS missiles and filling US military stocks.

“As a result, we were able to move forward with this provision of ATACMS while also maintaining the current readiness of our armed forces,” said Pentagon spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz.

Wanted to add ATACMS were sent in March and have already been used- twice

The United States quietly sent long-range ballistic missiles to Ukraine as part of a package of military support in March, and Ukraine has used the weapons twice, according to US officials.

But in February, US President Joe Biden approved the delivery of the missiles and a “significant” number was included in a $300m aid package announced the following month, officials said.

“We’ve already sent some, we will send more,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.